Open end ratchet wrench



Feb. 19, 1963 l. o. ROSTAD 3,077,801

OPEN END RATCHET WRENCH Filed Feb. 10, 1961 INVENTOR; [/QvE/v 0. ROJTAD M146 7 WM ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 1% i953 SA 'IZSM (WEN El ll) WRENtIH llrven t). Rostad, Foxholm, N. lltak. Filed Feb. 1d, 1961, er. No. $8,474 2 Claims. ((11. Si ai.)

This invention relates to a new and improved wrench; in particular it concerns a socket wrench adapted to slip over tubing, shafting, conduit, cable and the like and engage fittings, bolts, and other fasteners that are generally mounted coaxially with the member to which they are attached.

Open end ratchet wrenches have heretofore been characterized by. complex designs featuring large numbers of coacting movable elements and close tolerances. Some of them have tiny hidden pawl members actuated by miniature springs subject to easy breakage during operation and loss during repair. Others incorporate movable hinged jaws to accommodate the socket members resulting in more parts and less strength. Still other ratchet wrenches of the open end type have socket retaining means se arate from the handle thereof thereby reducing their convenience and lessening the rigidity and strength of the unit when it is assembled.

in view of the foregoing, it is an important object of this invention to provide an open end ratchet wrench that will overcome the disadvantages described hereinabove.

Another primary object of this invention is to provide an improved open end ratchet wrench.

A further object of this invention is to provide an open end ratchet wrench that is strong enough for ordinary usage yet built of a minimum number of parts.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved ratchet wrench of the open end type characterized by simplicity of design and able to perform satisfactorily for those who need to adjust fittings and other fasteners which are connected to tubing, shafting, conduit, cable and the like in a coaxial manner.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide an improved open end ratchet wrench having novel means for transferring torque from the handle thereof to the fitting to which it is attached.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved open end ratchet Wrench that is easy to manufacture, functional in design and low in cost.

A further object of this invention is to provide new and improved socket members for use in an open end ratchet wrench.

Another object of this invention is to provide new and improved means for causing positive relative rotary displacement between the fixed and the movable elements.

Another object of this invention is to provide novel ratchet means and novel means for biasing the same in an open end ratchet wrench.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide an improved open end ratchet wrench that is easy to manipulate and is sturdy in construction.

Another object of this invention is to provide in an open end ratchet wrench novel means for retaining and positioning socket members therein.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved open end ratchet wrench that may accommodate different sized removable socket members therein.

Another object of this invention is to provide a light weight easily handled open end ratchet wrench characterized by positive action and a minimum of working parts.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become more fully apparent from the consideration of the following detailed specification and accompanying drawings wherein a preferred embodiment of the invention '12, by means of pins 35;.

Z is shown and described by way of illustration and not by way of limitation.

Referring to the drawing in which the same characters of reference are employed to indicate corresponding or similar parts throughout the several figures thereof:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevation view of the invention with the cover removed;

FiGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view, partially in section taken on the line 3-3 of FiGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on line 4-4 of FIGURE 3; and

FEGURE 5 is a perspective view of the socket member forming part of the invention.

Referring now to the drawing and, more particularly to FlGURES 1 and 2 thereof, the invention, indicated in its entirety by the reference character A, includes an elongated body itr having a hand engageable shank l2 and a Working end El i. Working end 14 is characterized by a pair of cooperative circular socket receiving jaws l6 and 13 that are preferably formed integral with body it? and shank 12. As shown in FlGURE l, jaws to and 13 circumscrioe a central bore 2i which communicates with the terminus of working end 14 by means of opening 22 therebetween. Thus in plan view jaws i6 and i3 define a circular split enclosure for bore 28 inasmuch as they are separated at their respective ends by a generally longitudinal opening 22. The thickness of working end 14, is preferably slightly greater than the thickness of shank 12 as shown in FiGURE 2.

A pair of generally radial apertures 24 and 26 extend through jaws l6 and 18 near their intersection with shank 12. These apertures, symmetrically arranged on each side of the longitudinal axis of body It permit the movable extension therethrough of cooperative pawl members 2-3 and 3%. Each pawl member 28, Ed has an elongated body 32 so constructed and arranged as to provide a rearwardly extending finger engaging leg 34 and a forward extending working member 346. Intermediate the ends of legs 34 and members 36 is an enlarged transversely extending shoulder 33 suitably pivoted, within a shallow recess id that is milled into shank in operation, pawl members 23 and function as first class levers, as will be explained. The tooth engaging end all of pawl member 23 is characterized by a generally radially disposed contact face 42 and a sloping edge 3 adapted to ride over the ratchet teeth. The contact face l2 of pawl member 28 is on the inner side thereof to impart a pulling thrust against the ratchet teeth. Pawl member has a tooth engaging end i l characterized by a generally radial contact face 45 on the outside thereof adapted to engage the ratchet teeth in the same rotational direction as innor contact face 42 of pawl member 28 but the thrust exerted is in the nature of a pushing action imparted to the ratchet teeth. A sloping surface 47 connects face 45 with the shank of working member 36. Both contact faces 42. and 4:; are arranged generally parallel to the working faces 92 of ratchet teeth $8 in socket 743 so as to engage the entire surface thereof and distribute the load evenly thereover.

Pawl members 23 and 3d are biased into working position within be e 2d byrneans of an elongated compression spring carried within a transverse aperture 5t located in shank 12, as shown in PlGURE 3. Spring 48 biases legs 34', of pawl members 28 and 3h apart so that the rotation thereof about pivot pins 35 causes tooth engaging ends 4-13 and 44 to reside in a normally extending position within bore 2% of jaws l5 and 18.

Further provided within jaws to and 13 are a pair of spaced retainer balls 56, 58 which are contained Within recesses 60, 62 and biased into an extended position within bore 20 by means of springs 64 and 66. These balls 56 and 58 serve to releasably hold the socket memher in place, as will be explained. An annular shoulder 67 extending slightly within bore 20 is provided on the lower edge thereof to provide a lower support for the socket member, as will be explained.

A light thin metallic or plastic enclosure 69 may be removably attached to the working end 14 of the wrench as by screws or recesses suitably milled into the wrench. This feature is shown in FiGURE 1.

A socket member 70 is removably carried within bore 20. The socket member 70 may be furnished in a pinrality of difierent internal sizes to accommodate nuts and fasteners of varying dimensions. As shown in FIG- URE 5, socket 70 has a generally cylindrical body 72 adapted for rotation within bore 20. An opening 74 in body 72 corresponds in its peripheral width to the opening 22 in working end 14 of the wrench. The bore 76 of socket 70 has internal nut engaging ribs 78 which extend throughout its length and may fit any size nut according to the radial dimension 30 thereof. A complete size range of removable sockets can be provided for use with the wrench.

Socket 70 is further characterized by a thin fiat annular flange 82 which rests upon the upper surface of jaws 16 and 18 as shown in FIGURE 2. External teeth 84 or knurling is provided to facilitate the easy removal of socket 70 from the wrench.

A continuous belt of ratchet teeth 88 are machined into the outer surface of socket '70 intermediate top 82 and the lower edge 90 thereof. Teeth 38 are characterized by generally radially disposed thrust surfaces 92 connected by sloping generally tangential surfaces 94.

The width of teeth 88 is slightly greater than the width of the working ends 36 of the spring loaded pawls 28 and 30.

A shallow continuous recess 96 is cut into the lower part of body 72 between ratchet teeth 88 and lower edge 90. This recess is provided to receive the portion of retainer balls 56 and 53 that extend into bore 20 from recesses 60 and 62. The spring loading behind these balls permits the insertion and removal of socket 70 within the wrench without difiiculty. Inasmuch as pawls 28 and 30 are continuously biased into contact with the teeth 88 on socket 70 it is entirely possible to omit the recess 96 and associated retainer structure from the device. The retainer means described allows one to disengage both pawls from the socket without danger of losing the socket in the event the wrench is turned over. The annular shoulder 67 on the lower edge of bore 20 serves to support socket 70 and also prevents the insertion of the socket from the wrong side in case the wrench is provided with the ball retainer structure.

The torque transmitted from shank 12 to the fastener through socket 79 is carried simultaneously through both pawls 28 and 30, except during the time when opening 74 of socket 70 is in register with one of the pawls. The distance between pawls 23, 30 is greater than the corresponding distance between the peripheral limits of opening 74 to provide continuous engagement of at least one pawl with the ratchet teeth 83 during rotation of socket 70. To reverse the direction of rotation it is only necessary to turn the wrench over 180.

As indicated by arrow 95 in FIGURE 3, socket and body 10 of my wrench rotate in a single direction only. This construction makes my wrench simple in design and furthermore otters the very considerable advantage that the wrench may be slipped from one nut connection along a tube or hydraulic line to another nut connection or fitting on the same line without removal of the wrench from the line. This feature is made possible by the continuous bore 76 of socket 70 which extends along its entire length and communicates with the top and bottom edges of jaws 16 and 13 of body 10.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it is apparent that various modifications may be made in the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, and it is desired, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereon as are set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In an open end ratchet wrench, a body including a handle, a pair of spaced arcuate jaws joined to an end of said handle, a hollow split socket wrench member rotatably carried within said jaws, said socket wrench mem ber being split along its length a distance generally equivalent to the spacing between said jaws, said socket wrench member being separable from said jaws and having an inner work engaging surface in communication with both ends thereof, uni-directional ratchet teeth exteriorly of said socket wrench member and parallel to the axis thereof, said rachet teeth being centrally disposed on said socket wrench member, each of said jaws having an aperture therein, a pawl member pivotally mounted on said body rearwardly of each of said jaws, each of said pawl members being pivoted intermediate their ends and having a workin end passing through the apertures in said jaws into engagement with said ratchet teeth, the working end of one of said pawl members having a generally radially disposed outer contact face operable to impart a pushing thrust to said ratchet teeth, the working end of the other of said pawl members having a generally radially disposed inner contact face operable to impart a pulling thrust to said ratchet teeth, the working ends of said pawl members being spaced apart a greater distance than the width of the opening defined by the split in said socket wrench member, and a compresson spring carried by said handle normal to its axis for simultaneously biasing the working ends of said pawl members into driving engagement with said ratchet teeth.

2. The open end ratchet wrench of claim 1 wherein said socket wrench member is provided at its upper end with an annular flange exteriorly of its central bore.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 38,914 Richardson June 16, 1863 133,402 Bonneville Nov. 26, 1872 1,890,213 Camern et al Dec. 6, 1932 2,578,686 Fish Dec. 18, 1951 2,712,256 Fish July 5, 1955 2,851,914 Zeckzer Sept. 16, 1958 FOREIGN PATENTS 7,164 Great Britain 1900 

1. IN AN OPEN END RATCHET WRENCH, A BODY INCLUDING A HANDLE, A PAIR OF SPACED ARCUATE JAWS JOINED TO AN END OF SAID HANDLE, A HOLLOW SPLIT SOCKET WRENCH MEMBER ROTATABLY CARRIED WITHIN SAID JAWS, SAID SOCKET WRENCH MEMBER BEING SPLIT ALONG ITS LENGTH A DISTANCE GENERALLY EQUIVALENT TO THE SPACING BETWEEN SAID JAWS, SAID SOCKET WRNCH MEMBER BEING SEPARABLE FROM SAID JAWS AND HAVING AN INNER WORK ENGAGING SURFACE IN COMMUNICATION WITH BOTH ENDS THEREOF, UNI-DIRECTIONAL RATCHET TEETH EXTERIORLY OF SAID SOCKET WRENCH MEMBER AND PARALLEL TO THE AXIS THEREOF, SAID RACHET TEETH BEING CENTRALLY DISPOSED ON SAID SOCKET WRENCH MEMBER, EACH OF SAID JAWS HAVING AN APERTURE THEREIN, A PAWL MEMBER PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON SAID BODY REARWARDLY OF EACH OF SAID JAWS, EACH OF SAID PAWL MEMBERS BEING PIVOTED INTERMEDIATE THEIR ENDS AND HAVING A WORKIN END PASSING THROUGH THE APERTURES IN SAID JAWS INTO ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID RATCHET TEETH, THE WORKING END OF ONE OF SAID PAWL MEMBERS HAVING A GENERALLY RADIALLY DISPOSED OUTER CONTACT FACE OPERABLE TO IMPART A PUSHING THRUST TO SAID RATCHET TEETH, THE WORKING END OF THE OTHER OF SAID PAWL MEMBERS HAVING A GENERALLY RADIALLY DISPOSED INNER CONTACT FACE OPERABLE TO IMPART A PULLING THRUST TO SAID RATCHET TEETH, THE WORKING ENDS OF SAID PAWL MEMBERS BEING SPACED APART A GREATER DISTANCE THAN THE WIDTH OF THE OPENING DEFINED BY THE SPLIT IN SAID SOCKET WRENCH MEMBER, AND A COMPRESSION SPRING CARRIED BY SAID HANDLE NORMAL TO ITS AXIS FOR SIMULTANEOUSLY BIASING THE WORKING ENDS OF SAID PAWL MEMBERS INTO DRIVING ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID RATCHET TEETH. 